Associates to Masters (A2M) Biotechnology Program
Northeastern University
The A2M scholarship program provides low-income students an affordable, accelerated pathway from Associates to Bachelor’s to Master’s (A2M) degrees in order to prepare them for success in the biotechnology workforce, given the growing demands of the regional biotechnology job market. This pathway is offered through Middlesex Community College and Northeastern University’s College of Professional Studies and College of Science. The National Science Foundation-funded A2M grant provides scholarships to support low-income and underrepresented minority students along the entire pathway from Associates to Master’s, providing research experiences, industry, faculty and peer mentorship, specialized advising, and other tailored academic, career, and social supports. Students are majority female and racially diverse. Across all degree programs, the A2M cohort is 63% female, 46% of students are underrepresented minorities, and 61% of students identify as first-generation college students. The program currently has a 97% retention rate. A key component of this program is working closely with industry partners to graduate the next generation of qualified, diverse biotech professionals who are prepared to directly enter the biotech workforce.